The program will bring together two exciting, but previously separate, approaches to the study of environmental biology: modeling and experimental investigation of processes, versus the analysis of spatial pattern. The first approach (strongly represented among UCSB's biologists) seeks to understand the dynamics of ecological systems by analyzing the mechanisms that determine the dynamics of populations, communities and ecosystems. The second approach is well represented among geographers at UCSB and involves an impressive range of techniques aimed at analyzing pattern over a very large range of spatial scales. We propose a program involving which takes advantage of the potentially strong synergism among quantitative geography, and experimental and theoretical ecology. The program involves (a) new cross-disciplinary courses, (b) mechanisms and funding for students to gain industrial experience, and (c) opportunities for thesis research in collaboration with off-campus organizations. Matching funds have been offered from industry and from a state-funded program in toxicology. To promote greater minority student enrollment in the program, we propose a consortial relationship between UCSB and California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), a designated Minority Undergraduate Institution that grants Bachelor's and Master's degrees, but not the PhD degree. Our efforts will focus on students in CSULA's Environmental Research and Education Center, whose acting head is an accomplished ecologist with expertise in the research theme we propose, and with experience in developing minority student research groups.
